The U.S. government is undertaking the largest cultivation of research marijuana in five years, driven by increasing interest in strains with high levels of THC and CBD. Despite the federal stance that classifies marijuana as illegal and dangerous, it remains the sole supplier for nearly all cannabis research in the country.
Growing Demand for Diverse Strains
In an email to The Associated Press, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) confirmed plans to grow 2,000 kilograms (4,409 pounds) of marijuana this year at the University of Mississippi, which holds the exclusive federal contract for marijuana production. This yield is sufficient for roughly 5 million joints, with the marijuana being provided in various forms. The crop will include both high-THC and high-CBD varieties, reflecting the recent surge in interest for CBD as a potential treatment for multiple medical conditions. While THC is known for its mind-altering effects, CBD is non-intoxicating and has garnered attention for its therapeutic properties.
Research Implications and Local Context
Last year, a CBD-based medication was approved by federal regulators for treating specific rare seizure disorders, and ongoing research is exploring its effects on other conditions. Furthermore, researchers are investigating high-THC marijuana as a substitute for opioids in chronic pain management. For instance, University of Colorado Assistant Professor Emily Lindley is examining options involving high-THC strains for treating chronic back pain. Lindley and her peers advocate for broader federal authorization for entities beyond the University of Mississippi to cultivate cannabis for research purposes.
Regulatory Challenges
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has established an application process for growers; however, it has yet to act on more than two dozen applications. In June, Scottsdale Research Institute in Arizona appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, seeking a mandate for the DEA to process these pending requests. DEA spokesperson Katherine Pfaff stated that the agency is continuing to review these applications but declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
NIDA indicated that there hasn’t been a significant increase in research demand for cannabis in recent years. In the previous year, 20 researchers received shipments of government marijuana, much of which came from frozen stock grown in 2014. The number of researchers receiving government marijuana has fluctuated between eight and 21 since 2010.
Researchers can expect to obtain materials from the new crop by fall, following the harvest and necessary analyses, opening new avenues for research in the expanding cannabis industry. For more details on federal marijuana regulations, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse.